Mauritius: Govt.’s priorities for 2016 reported in Mauritius

Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – The announcement by Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth that the priorities of his government for 2016 are investment, employment, renewable energy, tourism, ICT, and job creation dominated the media in Mauritius this week.

Sir Jugnauth's announcement at a more than two hour meeting with members of the private sector, was the focal point of the island’s media.

According to the daily, Le Mauricien, the Prime Minister told the private sector that "we should start creating jobs before people start insulting me.

"I reiterate my appeal to the private sector to make the necessary efforts in order to create jobs for the unemployed, particularly the youth," the daily quoted his as saying.

He said "The government will continue to ensure stability and security and facilitate business as well as promote good governance in the country."

According to him, Le Mauricien reported "there are lots of potentials in the different sectors of the economy such as tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, port activities, services, finances, ICT, education, health and in the long term ocean economy."

Under the same chapter, the daily L’express reported that the Prime Minister also appealed to his ministers to "come out of their drowziness and put pressure on pubic officers to perform".

The Prime Minister asked the entrepreneurs to call directly onto the ministers when they face any administrative hurdles.

Meanwhile, the daily Le Défi echoed the difficulties in the construction sector with the attendant risks of job losses in 2016.

On its part, the daily Le Matinal reported that the government plans to reduce retirement age in the public sector from 65 to 60 years in a bid to curb unemployment. The then government in 2008 set the retirement age at 65.

Le Matinal also writes that the Mauritian police are following closely the doubtful activities of some people following the video shown last week on YouTube in which a Mauritian called on his compatriots to join ISIS.

The Mauritian media also highlighted the visit this week of a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that estimates that the macroeconomic situation in Mauritius is very strong but suggested that the State should continue its reforms so as to gain on productivity and competitiveness.
-0- PANA NA/IS/ACK/VAO 19Dec2015